Privacy Policy

Paradigm Ortho (formerly West Shore Orthodontics) recognizes the importance of privacy in relation to personal information we receive from our patients, and makes efforts to ensure the accuracy, confidentiality and security of such information.

In British Columbia, the BC Personal Information Protection Act (the “BC PIPA”) regulates the way in which private sector organizations collect, keep, use, secure and disclose personal information. Paradigm Ortho is governed by the BC PIPA, therefore, we take your privacy seriously.

 DEFINITIONS

“Personal Information” means information about an identifiable individual. Under the BC PIPA, personal information does not include business contact information or work product information.

“Collection” means the act of gathering, acquiring, or obtaining personal information from any source, by any means.

“Consent” involves voluntary agreement with what is being done or proposed. Consent may be express or implied.

“Express consent” means than an individual, knowing what personal information is being collected and for what purposes, willingly agrees to the information being collected, used and disclosed as notified. It may be given in writing or verbally.

“Implied consent” exists when an individual is “deemed” to consent to collection, use or disclosure of personal information if the individual voluntarily provides it for a purpose that would, at the time, be considered obvious to a reasonable person.

 ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Paradigm Ortho is responsible for the confidentiality of personal information in its custody or under its control in compliance with the applicable privacy legislation.
  • Paradigm Ortho has appointed a Privacy Officer to be responsible for implementing the privacy program and ensuring compliance with applicable privacy legislation.
  • Paradigm Ortho employees are responsible for day-to-day compliance with this Privacy Policy. Employees who do not comply with this Privacy Policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

CONSENT

  • Paradigm Ortho will collect, use or disclose personal information only with knowledge and consent, except where required or permitted by law.
  • Consent may be implied in some situations while express consent is required for the collection, use and sharing of confidential and sensitive information. Paradigm Ortho reserves the right to disclose information where required or permitted by law.
  • Consent may be withdrawn at any time, on reasonable notice, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.

IDENTIFYING PURPOSES

Paradigm Ortho will always endeavor to communicate the purposes for which personal information is collected at or before the time the information is collected.

Generally, Paradigm Ortho collects patient personal information for the following reasons:

  • To deliver, develop, evaluate and manage services to meet the needs of patients;
  • When it is necessary to process payments for services; and
  • To meet regulatory requirements.

We collect, use and disclose patient personal information to the extent reasonably required to deliver dental care and related services, and to process payments for such services. This may include exchanging information with a patient’s benefits provider or insurer.

We use patient personal information to communicate with patients with respect to the delivery of services, such as by tracking appointments, sending reminders, notifying you of our services and products available through our office, and following up with patients following service delivery.

We may exchange information with other health care providers or specialty dentists to facilitate the delivery of medical, dental and related care. Patients who do not wish Paradigm Ortho to communicate with other health care providers should notify Paradigm Ortho of their concerns.

Paradigm Ortho may, from time to time, participate in research related to the practice of dentistry. Personal information used for such purposes will be used and disclosed as permitted by PIPA.

LIMITING COLLECTION, USE, DISCLOSURE & RETENTION

Paradigm Ortho will limit collection of personal information to what is necessary for the purposes for which it is collected.

Paradigm Ortho will always collect personal information by fair and lawful methods.

Personal information will only be used or disclosed for the purpose for which it was collected, except with the individual’s consent or as required or permitted by law.

Personal information will be retained only as long as necessary for fulfillment of the purposes for which it was collected, or as required or permitted by law.

INCLUDE AS APPLICABLE – Our office operates on an open concept, which means it may be possible for other patients to overhear discussions taking place in the treatment area. We recognize that some patients may have concerns about their privacy. If you have such concerns, please ensure that you bring them to the attention of the staff. Private consultation space is available for patients who express a concern about their privacy. If you do not express any concerns, we will assume that you consent to the discussion of your treatment within the treatment area as described above. For more information, please ask for a copy of our privacy policy.

SAFEGUARDS

Paradigm Ortho protects personal information by ensuring security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information are in place, including through the use of the following measures:

  • Physical (i.e. locked filing cabinets, restricted access, appropriate security measures when disposing of personal information);
  • Organizational (i.e. security clearances, access only on a “need to know” basis); and,
  • Technological (i.e. passwords, firewalls, data disconnection from the internet, and regular backups) and training of employees.

ACCURACY

Paradigm Ortho will make reasonable efforts to ensure that personal information is as accurate, complete and current as required for the purposes for which it was collected. In some cases, Paradigm Ortho relies on individuals to ensure that certain information, such as an individual’s home telephone number, is current, complete, and accurate.

From time to time Paradigm Ortho may contact the individual to ensure that the information collected is or remains accurate and up-to-date.

RIGHT OF ACCESS

Paradigm Ortho is open about the policies and procedures it uses to protect personal information. Any inquiries may be made to our Privacy Officer.

Upon written request, Paradigm Ortho will within a reasonable time period, tell the individual what personal information it has, for what purposes it is being used, and to whom it has been disclosed if applicable and within the time period for which records are available.

Individuals have the right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of their information and have it amended if it is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date.

In certain circumstances, Paradigm Ortho may refuse to disclose personal information, including:
Where required by law, certain personal information may not be disclosed;

  • Where the information contains personal information about another individual;
  • Where the information is of such a nature that its disclosure could reasonably be expected to prejudice the mental or physical health of the individual;
  • Where the information was gathered in the course of a formal dispute resolution process; and
  • Where the information is subject to solicitor-client or litigation privilege.

COMPLIANCE AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Requests for access to information, issues or complaints about Paradigm Ortho compliance with this Policy regarding the handling of personal information, and questions or comments about this Policy may be addressed to Paradigm Ortho Privacy Officer:

Paradigm Ortho
206-1314 Lakepoint Way
Langford, BC
V9B 0S2
Attention: Privacy Officer

In British Columbia, at any point the individual may also write to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia:

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
PO Box 9038, Stn. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9A4
Phone: (250) 387-5629
Fax: (250) 387-1696
Email: info@oipc.bc.ca

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time.